Margaret Lewis’ niece Margie Ford (right) unveiled the plaque in honour of her aunt. With her are, Friends group secretary Morris Maxwell and Val Sheehan with Ms. Lewis’ former home Fairway in the background.By Kath Gannaway
THE Coldstream community gathered on Saturday 9 August to pay tribute to the vision and generosity of the late Margaret Lewis.
More than 70 people gathered to unveil a plaque at the Margaret Lewis Reserve.
Friends of Margaret Lewis, with the support of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, transformed a tract of farmland into a native bushland reserve for passive recreation.
Ms Lewis moved to Coldstream in 1955 with her husband George.
The reserve was part of the Fairway property where they kept Cheviot sheep and bred Shetland and Welsh Mountain ponies and Arab horses.
Ms Lewis died in 1981 having had a glimpse of the future development of Coldstream and what that might mean for the families who made their homes there.
She envisioned that in time the whole area would be developed and that the people of Coldstream would have no idea what it was once like, her friend Jim Sawyer said.
“She was passionate about her dogs and concerned that the people of Coldstream would have nowhere for recreation and nowhere to walk their dogs.”
Older residents, young families and their four-legged friends were well represented at the ceremony.
Another friend, local historian Val Sheehan said Ms Lewis’ bequest was a gift from the heart of a lady who felt the need to leave a legacy to the community where she spent many happy years of her life.
Ms Lewis’ niece Margie Ford unveiled the plaque.
Ms Ford said she spent many happy times with her aunt sharing her love of animals and the environment.
She thanked and congratulated the shire and the Friends group for what she said had been a tremendous effort to create a truly wonderful community reserve. Cr Jeanette McRae and Casey MP Tony Smith also paid tribute to the commitment and effort of the Friends group.
Cr McRae said the group is one of the strongest community groups in the shire.
“It’s a testament not only to Margaret Lewis but to the community who have really embraced this space and looked after it,” she said.
